Editors Note: The following article features Evans Duren (Beta Psi/Presbyterian 2005)
Evans Duren (Beta Psi/Presbyterian 2005) is an award-winning businessman with a heart to bridge the divide between the secular and the sacred. He owns The Duren Companies, LLC, a consulting firm that works with individuals and organizations to leverage their unique gifts, skills, and talents to grow in their businesses and bridge the gap between their work and their faith. He joined Beta Psi Chapter at Presbyterian College in 2001, graduating in 2005 with degrees in Business Administration (with a concentration in Management) and French. He is the author of Send Me: Discovering Your Mission Through Work, a self discovery memoir dedicated to helping professionals find their own ability to do missions through their work.
Q: Why did you choose to attend Presbyterian College?
A: I'm originally from Columbia, SC. I chose Presbyterian for three reasons: first, I wanted to get out Columbia and experience a change of scenery; second, my parents met at Presbyterian, so the school has a special place in my family's heart; and third, I was given an opportunity to play football, albeit short-lived.
Q: What interested you in Greek life overall? And why Theta Chi specifically?
A: I knew my dad Tracy Duren (Beta Psi/Presbyterian 1982) had joined Theta Chi at PC, so the idea of carrying on a legacy motivated me to at least go and check out the house, but the chapter seemed more in line with my personal values, interests, and goals than the other groups on campus. Also, Greek life was a huge part of the culture on campus, so joining a fraternity seemed like a good opportunity to step outside of my comfort zone and join a community larger than myself.
Q: What roles did you serve in as a collegiate brother, and what was your biggest takeaway being a leader on campus?
A: I served as President from sophomore to junior year, and if there's one thing I learned, it's that I didn’t know anything about leadership [laughs]! It’s hard when you’re 20 years old trying to understand that being a leader in a fraternity is like owning business. Just because you all have the same goal doesn’t mean everyone wants to get there the same way. I also didn’t do it right every time, and that’s a hard pill to swallow, but it’s a great opportunity to learn.
Q: What do you do professionally now?
A: I was in sales for nearly 20 years, but as of 2024, I run The Duren Companies which is my own sales development company. This new venture gives me opportunities to speak and consult with other sales-driven organizations on further sales development and donor relations after the transaction has completed. We believe in helping people create more revenue to create more impact.
Q: Can you give some insight on what motivated you to write Send Me: Discovering Your Mission Through Work?
A: I used to love to write, but I stopped for a long time. The first book I was planning to write was fiction, and the person I connected with to help me publish it told me I should be writing something that God put on my heart. I remembered I wanted to be a pastor at one point, and that just wasn’t a part of God’s plan for me. For years, I didn’t believe I could do missions work/church work, and I realized that the workplace is a mission field. There’s 3.4 million people without access to the gospel. We can all do something to be stewards. No matter your title or position, its seeing the value of your purpose beyond the dollar bill and helping others figure out what they can do to be of service to the Lord.
Q: What advice would you give to a younger Theta Chi, or other young men?
A: It’s okay to not have all the answers. But don't let that be an excuse to remain stagnant. Take every opportunity that comes your way as an opportunity to grow. You have no clue who you’ll meet that you can help and serve that’ll take you to your next level. Continue to become aware of who you are and who you were created to be, be you and be great at being you. Lastly, remember: a life lived without service is a life wasted.
Evans, we'd like to congratulate you on all of your successes and how you've been able to integrate faith into your professional life. We're glad Theta Chi was able to be such a strong pillar in the foundation of who you have become.